Will I qualify for University-provided medical insurance (Health, Dental, Vision) when I retire?
If you meet the minimum vesting requirements when you are ready to retire, you are eligible for State of Illinois Group Insurance. Those in the Portable and Self-Managed Plan must receive lifetime annuities in order to qualify for State group health insurance.

How much will my health insurance cost when I retire?
Retirees with less than 20 years of service, the State will contribute 5% of the premium cost for each year of service under 20, and the remaining percentage is the responsibility of the retiree. For example, if you retire with 10 years of service, you will be billed for 50% of the premium (5% x 10 years). Consult SURS for more information about premium costs.

Is there a premium for dental insurance?
Yes, the same premium that you paid as an active employee. Please see the State Benefits Choice Booklet for the current dental premiums.

Do my spouse and/or other dependents qualify for SURS-provided medical insurance?
If you qualify to receive medical insurance from SURS, then coverage for your dependents is available and any premiums will be deducted from your annuity.

How much will dependent health and dental insurance cost when I retire?
Your cost for dependent health and dental coverage is the same as for active employees.

Will I get Medicare after I retire?
University employees hired on or after April 1, 1986, are subject to withholding of the Federal Medicare tax, which amounts to 1.45% of gross salary. Effective January 1, 2013, an employer must withhold additional Medicare tax (0.9%) from wages it pays to an individual in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year. You may qualify for Medicare health insurance benefits when you turn 65 if you have earned 40 Medicare-covered employment credits with the Social Security Administration. For further information, please visit the Medicare page.

If I qualify to receive Medicare, am I required to Enroll?
Yes. If you are age 65 or older at retirement, or when you reach age 65 after retirement, and are eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), you will need to enroll in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). For further information, please visit the Medicare page.

Is participation in the SURS/State of Illinois Health Insurance Coverage Required?
No, under certain circumstances you may elect to opt out of State of Illinois medical insurance coverage. The election to opt out is entirely voluntary. In order to opt out, you must submit proof of enrollment in another comprehensive health plan that is not administered by the State of Illinois. See the Annuitants Opt Out page for additional information.

If you opt out, your dependent coverage will be terminated, and neither you nor your dependents will be eligible for COBRA Continuation Coverage.

Can I elect to opt out of State of Illinois Health Insurance and become a dependent of my spouse who has State insurance (or vice versa)?
No, the Group Insurance Act prohibits enrollment of State members as dependents of any plan administered by the State. Therefore, an individual may not enroll as a dependent of his or her spouse in the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program, Local Government Health Plan, Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program, or College Insurance Program.

What happens to my Basic State Life Insurance Coverage after I retire?
When you retire and begin receiving a monthly annuity from SURS, your State life insurance records are transferred to the retirement system. See the Retiree Life Coverage page for more information.

What happens to my Optional Life Insurance Coverage after I retire?
Optional State life insurance up to eight times the basic insurance amount is available until you are age 60, and your premiums will be deducted from your monthly retirement annuity check. When you turn age 60, the maximum optional insurance is $20,000. Any optional or basic coverage lost at retirement or age 60 may be converted, or retained as term coverage on a portable basis. Contact University Payroll and Benefits (UPB) for rate information.

What happens to Optional Life Insurance for my spouse and dependents?
Coverage continues for your spouse at the amount of $10,000. When you turn age 60 this reduces to $5,000. Coverage continues at the amount of $10,000 per child up to age 26. Premiums are deducted from your retirement check.

What happens to my optional State of Illinois Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance after I retire?
See the AD&D page for information on continuing this coverage.

Will I qualify for Tuition Waivers after I retire?
Yes, retirees from the University of Illinois are eligible for tuition waivers. Please visit the Tuition Waiver page for more information.

Will my son or daughter be eligible for Tuition Waivers after I retire?
No, children of SURS annuitants (retirees) are not eligible for tuition waivers. For a child to be eligible for the tuition waiver, the parent must be in active employment status of the University of Illinois on the first day of the academic term. Changes in status after the first day of class will only affect future academic terms. For more information, see Tuition Waivers.